The Gauteng tourism trade will come out to play on September 28 when the first GP Life Tourism Street Party turns the city centre into an outdoor celebration.

A block of eight ‘streets’ in the regenerated 1 Fox Street warehouse will be filled with music, entertainment, stalls, food, drink and dancing as the travel /tourism trade party through the day and into the night.

Gauteng Tourism Authority CEO, Siphiwe Ngwenya, welcomed the initiative and expressed confidence that it would be worthwhile. “The tourism trade is an important stakeholder in the We do/I do Tourism campaign that South African Tourism is championing and that we are part of.”

He said he hoped the GP Life Tourism Street Party would grow into a “premier showcase of Johannesburg, and Gauteng as a whole”.

The event will bring the travel trade together to celebrate Gauteng as a destination and highlight what it has to offer.

The streets in the warehouse will have different themes and interests, with 60 exhibitors spanning guesthouses, hotels, activities and adventure specialists and transport companies. Also taking part will be the Cradle Tourism Company, Sandton Tourism, Soweto Tourism, Dinokeng, Vilakazi Street and global brands with a presence in Johannesburg.

The GP Life Tourism Street Party has been organised by tourism sales agency, Leisure Connexion, and Gauteng Tourism Authority.

“In other cities, the industry operates almost like a family in promoting their city even though they are in competition with each other. Now it’s time for our local tourism industry to come together and share stories, experience the offerings and grow the love for Jozi,” said Adelbert Retief, Founder and MD of Leisure Connexion.

Tour operators, agents and destination management companies will arrive from 17h00 to interact with the exhibitors and discuss business. At 21h00 the party starts in the Good Luck Bar and will last until 02h00.

GP Life Tourism Street Party is to become an annual event, where hotels, activities, restaurants and tour operators can showcase their products.